August in the Air

August 1, 2025

“It sure feels like August” I thought upon slapping myself awake a short while ago. I repeated the phrase many times to the boys as I snapped some “Right Now” photos to back up my claim. Not that the kids knew what month it is, as it could be March for all they care. They are having a blast at camp and that’s all that matters.

I  describe August as “Lost & Found month” since the chilly air that causes those glorious mornings soon dissipates and it gets warm quite rapidly. Garments get shed and forgotten. How appropriate, then, to find two picnic tables of items boys have left behind. It is akin to pulling teeth to get them even to observe the tables, let alone retrieve lost items. But let the record show we give it our best shot.

My photos just posted reveal how well we eat at Kingswood. The food has been consistently good all summer long. “It has been a real upside” reported more than one person. Look at all those choices for breakfast today. Unlike many camps, we do not have a food budget but simply allow boys to get their full. How short sided would a business model be if it drew the line on how much active, growing boys could eat?

I was impressed by Mike’s announcements at breakfast, too. After citing Mt. Cardigan and Stinson Mountain for afternoon day hikes, he inquired, “Who needs Black Mountain for his Varsity Wheel?” When a few hands shot up, he decided on the fly that three mountain treks would be organized.

Then, when Todd announced a fishing derby for late in the day, one lad asked if he could both climb a mountain and participate in the derby. “We’ll organize your fishing gear beforehand so that you can join up immediately upon your return from the hike,” was the reply the boy wanted to hear.

Me, too, as flexibility and accommodation are keen attributes of our approaches here at Kingswood. And, while one may be tempted to take the easy way out so late in the summer, we pride ourselves on being invariably steady on our feet from start to finish.

“When you care as much about outcomes on the last day as you did the first day, you have become a pro” is what we tell our counselors.